VW Unveils the All-Electric Autonomous Microbus of the Future

The VW Microbus is one of the most loved VW models of all time, and now, after years of releasing nothing but concepts, it looks like the automaker is finally ready to release a new Microbus. The new I.D. Buzz was recently unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

The I.D. Buzz concept follows the debut of the I.D. electric concept unveiled a few months ago at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Based on the same MEB platform as the I.D. hatchback, the new Microbus dubbed the MEB-XL has been extended, providing enough room for up to eight passengers and two luggage compartments.

Just like the I.D. hatchback, the I.D. Buzz is powered by an all-electric powertrain. In this concept the electric powertrain consists of two electric motors, one at the front axle and one at the rear to generate a total of 369 horsepower. The concept has a driving range of 270 miles and with a 0-60 mph time of about five seconds, the I.D. Buzz concept will out accelerate every other van on the market and even most sports cars. Lastly the 111 kWh battery can be charged up to 80 percent within 30 minutes using the Combined Charging System (CCS) or an inductive charging interface.

The I.D. Buzz concept is also the world’s first fully autonomous multi-purpose vehicle. A slight push on the steering wheel makes it retract and merge into the instrument panel, switching the concept to the fully autonomous “I.D. Pilot” mode that could make it into production by 2025. In I.D Pilot mode, the concept detects other drivers and obstacles on the road with laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, side area view cameras and a front camera.